Scientist have discovered the first full skeleton of a T-Rex locked into battle with a Triceratops. The fossil, dubbed as the Dueling Dinosaurs, is said to be almost 67 million years old!
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences explained in a press release that the skeleton still “remains entombed within sediment from the Montana hillside”. Since this is is the first ever complete T-Rex fossil uncovered, scientists want to study it fully.
The museum also said, “Entombing sediment preserves extraordinary features such as body outlines, skin impressions and other soft tissues, as well as injuries and potential evidence of interaction, such as tyrannosaur teeth embedded in the Triceratops body”
The Dueling Dinosaurs have been aptly nicknamed since they seem to be in a fight when they passed away. They died together and were buried in one grave according to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
The Head of Paleontology at the Museum, Dr. Lindsay Zanno said, “We have not yet studied this specimen; it is a scientific frontier. The preservation is phenomenal, and we plan to use every technological innovation available to reveal new information on the biology of T. rex and Triceratops. This fossil will forever change our view of the world’s two favorite dinosaurs.”
Further adding, “The way we have designed the entire experience — inviting the public to follow the scientific discoveries in real time and participate in the research — will set a new standard for museums.”
The Tyrannosaurus Rex, also known as the T-Rex, was considered to be one of the most ferocious predators. It is also known as “The King of the Tyrant Lizards”. According to the National Geographic, the T-Rex had a massive body structure and huge sixty teeth, a strong jaw, and a high sense of smell. The carnivore was mostly found in North America over sixty-eight million years ago.
While the Triceratops is a three-horn dinosaur with a spiky, head plated skull. This dinosaur was also found in the North America side over sixty-six million years ago.
These dinosaurs are very different from each other in nature. The T-Rex is a carnivore whereas, on the other hand, the Triceratops is an herbivore.
The fossil will be displayed in a new expansion to the museum which includes a state of the art paleontology lab which is predicted to open in 2022. Furthermore, the rare fossils will be on display for the next five years at the North Carolina Museum.
